Improvement in combined bungs, cocks, and tapping apparatus



TENT FFIC'.

OSCAR T. EABLE, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 146,662, dated January 20, 1874; application filed December 15, 1873.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, OSCAR T. EARLE, of the city of New York, in the county of uNew York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oombined Bung, Cock, and Tapping Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide metallic bun gs for barrels for safe transportation and the prevention o1"- waste when tapping; and the nature of my invention c onsists in the combination of a new and improved metallie bung, cock, and tapping apparatus for ale, beer, and other barrels, the operation of which may be stated as follows, although other like means may be used with out departing from the spirit of my invention. The hole usually made for the cock in the head of the barrel is simply made a little larger when my improved bung is screwed into said hole, the bung having a flange cast upon it with four or more wood-.screw holes in it, and thus secured permanently to the head of the barrel. rlhe liquid is then filled into the barl rel through said bung, none other being nec- The construction of the bung and plug is more fully explained in the the accompanying drawings, making a part of this speciiication.

In the drawing, Figure 1 represents a section. through the bung; Flg. 2, a longitudinal section through the plug or cock Fig. 3, a

longitudinal section through the tapping attachment with a plan of the key; and Fig. 4, a plan or top view of the bung and its flange.

Similar letters of reference correspond in all Athe igures.

A inthe drawing represents a bushing or hollow plug provided with screw-threads upon its outer and inner surfaces, the outer threads to screw into the barrel fitting the aperture tightly, thus forming a perfectlytight joint.

The inner thread is fitted to rece' l'e the plug or cock B. y

It will be seen that the hollow plug or bung may be secured by means of the flange, or in any other approved or convenient manner.

B, Fig. 2, represents a hollow tapering plug or cock, having a strainer, O, on its inner end, which is provided with suitable openings for allowing the liquid to pass through or to be drawn oli' into the chamber b b, Fig. 2, by means of the tapering plug E, when turned by key F in position to register, with its corresponding openings t in the valve-seat. The key F, as is shown at Fig. 3, has a square end, which tits into the corresponding square socket in the end of the tapering plug E. G4, Fig. 3, represents the tapping devices tted with the ordinary screw-coupling H, by means of which it is attached to the outer end of plug or cock B; and having a coupling-nozzle, I, it can be connected to pipes leading to n pumps, or other means usually employed in drawing beer, or may be used as a common faucet to draw directly from the barrel into the glass or measure, as desired, it being provided with a suitable stuffing-box, J, thereby preventing leakage around the .key F, which fits in and forms a part ofthe tapping devices G. y

Thus it will be seen that the barrel need have but one opening, through which the bar rel is `lled, and drawn oii' by means ofthe peculiarly-constructed plug or cock B, which serves the double purpose of being a stopper or bung-plug, and faucet or cock, for drawing off the liquid, thus avoiding the necessity of breaking the staves or heads of the barrels,

as is often the casein the old way.

In my improved method one bung willnot only las-t one barrel, but can be used for many barrels, the barrel itself lasting much longer by its use. y

The tapering plug is also secured from leaking by a spring bearing against the end of the strainer and the inner end of the plug; thus y the tapering plug, operating in the manner With socket e and spring I, in the manner and and for the purpose set forth. for the purpose shown and described. l,

2. The combination of the bushing; A, cook In testimony that I claim the foregoing I or plug B, provided With the hollow tapering have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of projection, with the tapering plug, :md 'tapping December, 1873.

device Gr, substantially in the manner and for OSCAR T. EARLE. Jthe purpose set forth. litnesses:

3. The combination of the oook or plug B, THOMAS C. CoNNoLLY,

having its inner tapering and hollow plug E, HENRY H. BURTON. 

